Medical procedures back in the 16th century were very dissimilar from those used today. Hospitals in the modern sense did exist, but they were extremely rare. Apothecaries, who were essentially pharmacists who manufactured and sold medications, provided the majority of people’s medical treatment. The number of hospitals in existence by 1500, the materials apothecaries used, whether or not they performed surgery, how to make an apothecary herb, and the locations where apothecaries operated in colonial times are all topics we’ll cover in this article.
In the year 1500, hospitals were much smaller and less advanced than they are now. The majority of them were modest businesses owned by monastic and nun organizations. Instead of offering medical care, these institutions were largely utilized to care for the sick and elderly. Hospitals did not start to resemble the vast medical complexes we are familiar with until the 17th century.
In the 16th century, apothecaries were the main types of medical professionals. They sometimes worked out of their houses as they produced and sold medications. They mostly employed plant-based substances, although they also occasionally used animal products. Sage, chamomile, and lavender were among the common herbs utilized by apothecaries. These plants were frequently used to treat a variety of illnesses, from stomach issues to headaches.
Although proficient in making medications, apothecaries did not undertake surgery. The few doctors who practiced at the time were left to handle that. Due to a lack of sophisticated medical equipment and a significant risk of infection, surgery was a risky and frequently lethal treatment in the 16th century.
You must first decide which plant to use in order to create an apothecary herb. After that, you would need to harvest the plant’s leaves, blossoms, or roots. After drying, these would be pulverized into a powder. A pharmaceutical preparation would subsequently be made using the powder and other substances.
In colonial times, apothecaries operated in a range of environments. While some people worked from their houses, others had jobs in stores or markets. They were well-respected members of their communities and were known for having the ability to make powerful medicines from natural substances.
In conclusion, hospitals were uncommon in the 16th century, and the majority of patients were treated by apothecaries. While they did not undertake surgery, apothecaries prepared medications using organic substances. You would need to pick and dry the plant before grinding it into a powder to create an apothecary herb. In colonial times, apothecaries operated in a variety of settings and were well-respected members of their communities.
In the 1500s, apothecaries often arranged their plants either alphabetically or according to their therapeutic characteristics. They would frequently also maintain thorough records on the applications and dosing instructions for each herb. In addition, some apothecaries kept their herbs in jars or other marked containers, while others made unique mixtures or powders for certain treatments.
In the 1500s, a large variety of medicinal herbs, spices, and other natural medicines, such as tinctures, ointments, and syrups, would normally be found in an apothecary store. For producing and distributing these cures, it would also have a variety of instruments and equipment, including mortars and pestles, scales, weights, and glass bottles and jars. Apothecaries may also offer high-end goods like perfumes, cosmetics, and rare spices.